Shattered
by Regatto

Disclaimers: Yes, no one belongs to me.

A/N: To all my reviewers—thank you very, very much! I don’t know how I can continue with this without your encouragement and support. Responding to comments that my previous chapter was short (I know you are joking btw ^^)... LOL, it was 20% longer than the previous chapters!

This time, my chapter is sooooo long that I have to split it up into two parts, otherwise you’ll go brain-dead. *sweatdrops. HELP! I have created a monster!* So here’s Part I of Chapter 5. Non-tennis action is in Part II which I will post in a couple of days (WIP). Gomen ne! Please continue to support this story!

5. Part I: Showdown

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“Unnya, Echizen! That was a mean twist serve! If I hadn’t moved away, it would have hit my face! And after I bought you burgers too! Can’t you show me some respect?”



“Mada mada dane, Kikumaru-senpai.”



“I should be the one playing against Echizen. I don’t understand why Kikumaru and Echizen are playing against each other now when they can play against each other in Seigaku all the time. Why are Momoshiro and Kamio so excited? They have beaten the Gyokurin pair before. Oh yes, it’s because they are actually playing. Not like me, I am only watching. This is annoying...”



For a moment, Fuji and Tezuka stopped short as they surveyed the scene before them. Two of the three available courts were occupied: a bouncing Kikumaru and a smirking Echizen were playing singles on the first court; on the third court, Momoshiro and Kamio gleefully alternated between hitting balls and hurling insults at the profusely sweating Gyokurin pair, Izumi and Fukawa. Shinji stood in one corner, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed as he stared moodily at the players; his mouth moved nonstop as he continued with his monologue.



Instinctively, Fuji stood a step back. Why are there so many people? Did Tezuka plan for this? As if hearing his unvoiced question, Tezuka replied calmly, “ I didn’t expect the courts to be occupied. They had been under renovation, and only reopened two days ago. And no, I didn’t call Eiji and the gang to come here.” Flicking a glance at Fuji from the corner of his eyes, Tezuka continued: “Are you going to back out, Fuji?” Fist tightening almost painfully around his racket, Fuji shook his head slowly. Tezuka nodded, his face betraying none of the satisfaction he felt. “Let’s play then.”



“Oi Gyokurin! Surely you can hit harder than that? Even Ann-chan can play better!” Momoshiro shouted as he returned the spinning tennis ball with a casual backhand.



“Momoshiro! Who are you calling Ann-chan?! Don’t you even think of getting fresh with her!” Outraged and momentarily distracted, Kamio loudly protested.



“Aww, loosen up Kamio! I was ...” Momoshiro froze in mid-sentence as two familiar figures approached the courts.



“Momoshiro! Are you listening to me? Pay attention! Why aren’t you getting the ball?” Kamio huffed as he stretched and swung his racket to cover for Momoshiro. “Momoshiro?”



“Tezuka-buchou! Fuji-senpai!” Momoshiro’s eyes were wide with disbelief and confusion. What are they both doing here? Fuji’s carrying a racket! Are they going to play? But.. but Fuji can’t possibly play anymore with his injury! “What are you doing here?”



All movements on the courts ceased as everyone stared speechlessly at Tezuka and Fuji. Save for the sound of Fuji’s and Tezuka’s steady footsteps, the place was completely silent.



“Fuji and I are going to have a match.” Tezuka was expressionless as he stared at the stunned faces.



“Nya, Tezuka! Are you serious? Fuji, you can’t ...” Kikumaru began and then abruptly stopped when he looked at Fuji. He’s not smiling. Kikumaru realized with a start. For the first time since Yuuta’s accident, Fuji is not smiling! Gazing into Fuji’s unshuttered eyes, he saw determination reflected in their depths. Kikumaru’s heart pounded as he turned and looked at Tezuka: mirrored in his eyes was the exact same determination.



“Eiji, can you be the umpire? Echizen can have a game with Ibu Shinji instead. That is, if all of you do not mind.” Tezuka requested politely.



“Betsuni.” Echizen touched the tip of his cap and shrugged nonchalantly. “I will play with Shinji. It was getting tiresome with Kikumaru-senpai whining the whole time anyway...”



Too anxious to be offended, Kikumaru turned to Fuji. “Nya, is it all right with you, Fuji?”



A smile fleeted across Fuji’s face as he gently replied: “Daijoubu, Eiji.” Then he turned towards the center court. 



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“One set match. Tezuka to serve.”



Fuji stood, knees slightly bent, as he stared across the court at Tezuka. The unfamiliar weight and sensation of the tennis racket rested heavily in his left hand. It feels so strange to stand on a court and hold a racket again! Has it only been slightly over three months since I have stopped playing? It feels like a lifetime ago. Unconsciously, Fuji flexed his tensed fingers. I was so used to playing with my right hand that the racket had become a natural extension of my body. But this...this feels so alien. I am scared. Fuji suddenly realized. I don’t know if I can actually play. How is Tezuka going to play? I have always liked to be in control. This uncertainty - it frightens me.



A ball suddenly whooshed passed, missing the side of his face by scant centimetres, the sheer force of its passage ruffling his hair.



“15-0!”



Fuji’s eyes narrowed. It was Tezuka’s no-touch ace. So that’s how he’s going to play. Fuji’s muscles tensed in anticipation as Tezuka arched his back and then swung his left arm in one fluid motion, sending the tennis ball flying across the court and singing in the air. Tezuka’s deadly serious. With a quick movement, Fuji shifted his body and extended his racket to return the serve.



Plowmhhp! The racket flew and landed a few feet away from Fuji as the force of the spinning ball jarred the racket out of his hand.



“30-0!”



Fuji clenched his teeth as he bent to retrieve his racket. The ball had been very heavy, but the next time he would be prepared, he would not be caught off guard like this again. Across the court, Tezuka’s face was an inscrutable mask: he threw the tennis ball up into the air and once again sent it careening towards Fuji.



“Net! 40-0!” Fuji’s return was unsuccessful.



“Game! Tezuka leads one game to love!” The game was over in less than one and half minutes.



Action on the other courts came to a standstill as everyone gathered in silence to watch the match. Even Shinji had stopped mumbling.



“First set, second service! Fuji to serve.”



Fuji paused as he gazed intently at the tennis ball cradled in his right palm. Until then he had resisted any urge to touch the ball, but now his fingers, of their own volition, moved caressingly over the rough surface, feeling its prickly texture. The weight of the ball pressed heavily against his barely-healed palm.



With a deep breath, Fuji tossed the ball into the air and swung his racket with a slicing movement.



“Fault!” The tennis ball hit the net. Fuji’s eyes widened before he tossed another ball up again.



“Double fault! 0-15!”



Another net ball! I can’t even serve properly! The mechanics of my swing is just wrong! Everything feels so awkward! A sense of surrealism assaulted Fuji. What am I thinking? I am not even left-handed, and here I am trying to play a match against Tezuka? Have I gone mad? I shouldn’t be playing here, I shouldn’t be playing at all!



Lowering his racket, Fuji strode towards the net. I will end this debacle right here and now! “Tezuka! Let’s...”



“Fuji, it’s your serve.” Tezuka remained motionless at his spot, his racket poised for a return. “Give me all that you’ve got, Fuji Syusuke.” Then, he stared at Fuji and continued implacably. “Remember who you are playing for.”



Yuuta’s intense face flashed in Fuji’s mind. “Aniki! I will defeat you! I will defeat Tezuka!”



Yuuta. How could I have forgotten? I’m playing this game for him, not myself! Even from across the court, Fuji could feel the waves of concentration and determination emanating from Tezuka. Tezuka is giving his all in this match! He’s risking his left hand to play in an unofficial match! How can I behave like this?



“Gomen ne, Tezuka.” Fuji smiled at his opponent. “I’m going to play seriously now.” I don’t want to let Yuuta down. I don’t want to let you down either. Throwing the ball once more into the air, Fuji arched his feet and brought the full momentum of his body into his swing.



This time the ball flew over the net.



“Out! 0-30!”



But Fuji was already starting on his next serve. This time, I will get it down pat. 



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“15-40!”



Fuji was panting badly as he walked towards the net to retrieve the tennis ball. Zero-shiki drop shot. He had anticipated Tezuka’s move, but had not been able to neutralize it. Bending down to free the ball from under the folds of the net, Fuji could feel his sweat trickling down his wet forehead and running into his eyes. Swiping his throbbing hand across his brows, Fuji was filled with a certain dark amusement as he contemplated about his situation. I’ve certainly lost all my stamina! Already I can feel my arm going numb, and my legs are going to give up on me soon. He was also trailing Tezuka 3-0. Soon I’m going to lose my service game, and then it will be 4-0.



“Oi, oi, what is Tezuka-buchou doing?” Momoshiro murmured worriedly as he watched Fuji’s rapidly weakening returns. “I can understand if he wants to make Fuji-senpai play tennis again. But the way he’s playing is so relentless, he’s really making Fuji-senpai run and struggle to get the ball. “ He peered at Kikumaru, who was looking just as troubled as he chewed on his lips. Beside him, Echizen was watching the match intently. 



“Playing such a strenuous game with his left hand is straining his muscles, plus the actions do not come naturally to Fuji . On top of that he’s not physically fit right now. That is a huge handicap, especially when you are playing against someone like Tezuka.” Kamio said, a frown on his face as he stroke his chin. “Fuji never had a chance to get his rhythm going. And now his energy is just getting sapped. It’s almost painful to watch the game.”



“Game Tezuka! Tezuka leads 4-0.” Announced Kikumaru as Fuji’s returning shot went outside the white line by a yard.



Fuji stared grimly ahead as Tezuka prepared to serve.



“Fuji-senpai, mada mada dane.” Remarked Echizen laconically; then he winced as his words earned him a sharp rap on his head from Momoshiro. “Itai!”



“Watch your words Echizen! He’s not left-handed! Plus his physical condition and his size are working against him! You can’t expect him to win in tennis like that!” Exclaimed Momoshiro agitatedly. Then realizing how loud his voice had been, Momoshiro blinked and covered his mouth in horror.



“Che! Baka-senpai.” Echizen rolled his eyes in disgust; Momoshiro ducked his head as Kamio, Izumi and Fukawa shook their heads at him, while Shinji mumbled something about big mouths.



Fuji jerked in shock as Momoshiro’s words penetrated through his weary consciousness. “ His physical condition and his size are working against him! You can’t expect him to win in tennis like that!” Déjà vu.



End Part I



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*Cough* I am not a tennis player, so excuse me for any mistakes or lousy descriptions there! As for Yuuta...we’ll see what happens to him in Chapter 6 (absolute last chapter, no more dragging you through more of my excesses). ^^



Suke-san, Hikaruchi, Wadeva, Angel72, Kikumaru*starr and Kusanagiluv: Arigatou Gozaimasu!



Suke-chan and Hikaruchi: Hoi, hoi! Hope the length is more satisfactory this time? ^^ I don’t know why the progress is so slow, the words just kept flowing out so the story gets longer and longer. Thank you so much for staying with this story. *bows to both of you*



Wadeva: ^^Thank you for your compliment. I’m waiting to read your fic too!



Angel72: You came back! Thank you! *glomps* LOL. Thanks to MsWord, I have less grammar mistakes. ^^Thank you for your reviews, it makes me feel warm and tingly.



Kikumaru*starr: Oro! What lousy fic? Your fics are very entertaining and funny! (I would like more though ^^Not so subtle hint.) Thank you for reading my story and giving me such kind support!